Wednesday, July 27, 2005

What other people know and think about Multiple Sclerosis

Many people don't know a lot about Multiple Sclerosis and what it actually is and how it can affect all of us in different ways. Many of us who have been diganosed with MS, intially thought "Jerry's kids"... no, it's not Muscular Dystrophy. It's Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous sytem (CNS).

You can read more facts and stats about Multiple Sclerosis at http://www.marialesetz.com/free_resources.html

Now.. onto what other people think about Multiple Sclerosis. I speak to many people that tell me that people say to them "Oh, I am so sorry" and look at them with sad eyes when they hear that that person was just diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Well, it's up to us to teach people how to treat us and what to say. If I react by saying "Don't be sorry, it's just another bump in the road of my life and I plan on continuing to live life to the fullest!" - -how do you think that person is going to react? Now, if I say "yeah, I know, it sucks ... I just don't know what I am going to do" -- how differently do you think that person and others is going to react and behave around you? Quite differently, huh?

When I was diagnosed with MS, I told my parents that I was going to overcome this challenge just like any other challenge I had already experienced and that I needed them to be strong for me (vs. crying and being depressed about it) and believe in my ability to overcome this challenge with flying colors. You see, it is very important to tell people how you would like to be treated and supported during this new life challenge.

And... for those people that look at you in a strange or judgmental way because you have a walker or a cane or your speech is affected by MS... "What they think of you is their problem, NOT YOURS!" Don't take it personally -- they probably give disapproving looks to many different types of people -- it's all about them and their fears and judgments! Don't pay them no mind!

Remember, educate yourself & others about what Multiple Sclerosis is AND make sure you teach/train others how to treat you. Ask for what you need and believe in who you are. Know that the essence of you HAS NOT changed, just because you were diagnosed with MS. Matter of fact, this challenge might even make you live life in a way that is more joyous than you have ever experienced! It has done this for me! I am Lovin' Life and livin' it to the fullest! YOU CAN TOO!

Warmly,
Your Personal Life Coach
Maria Lesetz
www.MariaLesetz.com or www.MSJustABumpInTheRoad.com

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Clay Walker - an inspiration to people with MS!

I recently had the pleasure to meet Clay Walker and hear him speak (and perform!) at an Educational Event hosted by Teva Neuroscience. For those of you that don't know Clay Walker -- he is a multi-platinum Country Music star who also happens to be living with MS.

But he is not just living with MS, he is living life to its fullest, despite the diagnosis of MS!
What I enjoyed most about him was that he is an authentic guy who shares his story with love, humor and a subtle, but powerful message of inspiration and motivation. When I heard him speak in Anaheim California to over 300 people, he was real and made people laugh and at the sane time, think hard about how they want to live their life with MS. As I always say when I do my Motivational Speaking... We all have a choice on how we respond to the diagnosis of MS! Matter of fact, we all have a choice on how we respond to ANYTHING that life throws our way! And Clay Walker definitely GETS this concept and is ... LOVIN' LIFE! Hmmm... that's the name of my company "Lovin' Life!" ... maybe I should hire Clay Walker ! :)

If you are interested in participating in an Interactive MS Educational Live Audio WebChat with Clay Walker where you will have the opportunity to learn about Clay's experiences with MS, and ask Clay questions about living well with MS, here's all the details:

What:
An interactive MS educational Live Audio WebChat with country music star Clay Walker
Why:
To connect with the MS community and empower others by sharing his personal story
When:
Tuesday, August 9, 2005 7–8 p.m. CST or 9–10 p.m. CST
Where:
Visit
www.sharedsolutions.com and click on the "join Clay Walker" banner. Follow the step-by-step instructions to register.

It's that simple... connect with Clay Walker via an Audio WebChat and ask him all the questions you want on how he lives his life with MS and what strategies he implements in his life to live a GREAT life and maintain a positive attitude!

Clay Walker is on a mission to find the cure for MS. He has his own Charitable organization called Band Against MS. We can all play a part in changing the face of MS and making a positive impact on the lives of people who are living with MS, like you and me. Clay Walker is one of those people that is passionate about making a difference in our lives. Take this opportunity and join him on the live Audio WebChat. You won't be disappointed!


Warmly,
Your personal Motivational Life Coach,

Maria C. Lesetz

www.marialesetz.com OR www.MSJustABumpInTheRoad.com

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Friday, July 08, 2005

What keeps you up at night?

If you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I would like to hear from you. I am very passionate about empowering and inspiring you to live a rich and fulfilling life, but in order to do this and provide you with the best quality services and products, I need to know more about you. (If you know someone with MS, please pass these questions along to them.)
I would really appreciate if you could post your answers here:

1) What keeps you awake at night?
2) What do you worry about most?
3) What are you mad at?
4) What are your daily frustrations?
5) What do you secretly desire?
6) How do you make your decisions?
7) What type of books do you read?
8) Do you listen to music? If so, what kind of music?
9) When you find yourself "in a funk" or "in a negative mood", what do you do?
10) How often do you think about the negatives of life? (e.g., 50% of the time? 90% of the time?)
11) Are you currently working? If so, what career are you in?
12) If you do not work, what does a typical day look like to you?
What would your perfect day look like?
13) How much is "stress" part of your life?
14) If you have stress in your life, how well do you handle it? What do you do to de-stress?
15) What magazines do you buy? Which ones are your favorite?
16) What activities help you to relax?
17) What puts a smile on your face?

I would really appreciate if you could take the time to answer these questions. I really want to know who you are and what your deepest desires are, despite living with MS. Because, I know that I can help you achieve anything you truly desire in life, no matter what obstacles you are facing as a result of the diagnosis of MS.

Looking forward to hearing from you !

Warmest Regards,
Maria C. Lesetz
Lovin' Life
Motivational Speaker & Life Empowerment Consultant

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Multiple Sclerosis ... Just a Bump in the Road!

As a Motivational Speaker, I get to speak to lots of people across the country. Many of them REALLY like my "MS... Just A Bump In the Road" tagline -- matter of fact, they prefer to visit my website by going to www.MSJustABumpInTheRoad.com instead of my actual name, www.MariaLesetz.com. That's OK.. I don't take it personally. "MS... Just a Bump in the Road" is easier to remember AND it's a GREAT affirmation to be reminded of each day. The way I look at it, if you remember "MS.. Just A Bump in the Road" and it sticks with you, then this is the beginning of an alternative attitude that you can have towards the diagnosis of a chronic health condition, like MS. You will start to believe that it can be "just a bump in the road" and that you WILL overcome this challenge and live life to it's fullest! Anything is possible! Your thoughts are very powerful... don't underestimate them.

You see, the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis can be just another bump in the road of your life. Yes, at times that bump can throw you off course a little bit (it may even make you spill your cup of coffee ) , but it can be "just a bump" depending on how you choose to look at it. I always say to people "no matter how big the bump seems, there is always the other side to the bump!" You can get to the other side of the bump and see a smooth road.

For me, the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis was an eye opener. It taught me that life can be very unpredictable and at any moment something can happen -- so why not cherish the present moment. It also taught me that worrying about the future is pointless (for the same reason above -- anything can happen, and I make it a point to give equal weighting to the possibilty of a positive outcome .. actually, I give more weighting to the positive then the negative, because I truly believe that what we focus on most shapes how we experience life.)

If you have just been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, know that it can be "Just a Bump in the Road" (even if it doesn't appear that way right now). Contact me at maria@marialesetz.com and I will share with you how you can maintain a positive attitude and life a rich and fulfilling life, despite the diagnosis of MS.

Warmly,
Maria C. Lesetz
Lovin' Life
Motivational Speaker & Life Empowerment Consultant



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Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Multiple Sclerosis and the Thoughts you have each day!

Did you know that your mind and what you think each day can strongly impact how you physically feel with Multiple Sclerosis?

Do you tend to focus on the negatives of life as opposed to the postives?

Do you worry a lot and think of the worst case scenarios?

Start paying attention to what you think about each day. Journal, record it, make note of it any way you feel fit. Just make sure that you start taking notice of where your mind is roaming and the nature of the thoughts you have on a regular basis.

I can tell you that what you are thinking will definitely impact your reality and how you experience life. There is a correlation between your daily thoughts and how much you are Lovin' Life (despite the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis)!!!

Post a message to me and tell me what type of thoughts you have each day (living with Multiple Sclerosis) and how you physically feel.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Maria C. Lesetz
Your Motivational Speaker and Life Empowerment Consultant
Remember... MS can be Just Another Bump in the Road of your Life!

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Traveling with Multiple Sclerosis

I have just come back from a 6000 mile Road Trip to a business meeting. Why did I choose to take a Road Trip over flying ? I love to drive. I love to see the beautiful country we live in. I am inspired by mountains, water and open land -- which I see a lot of when I travel across the country. Having Multiple Sclerosis does NOT stop me from living my life to it's fullest and doing the things I love.

Here are a few tips that I would recommend to take if you are traveling for an extended period of time (and through different climates):

1) Make sure that you bring light and comfortable clothes for the warmer climates (as you know, heat can impact the symptoms of MS -- so stay cool)

2) If you are planning on doing outdoor activities in the heat, get a cooling bandana or cooling vest; wear a hat and pace yourself. When all else fails, find an airconditioned restaurant that has great food! (I know that makes me happy!)

3) If you are traveling with any of the injectable medications, check with the drug manufacturer how long the product can stay unrefrigerated. I take Copaxone and that can be unrefrigerated for 7 days. Although, I do make sure when I stop each night on my road trip that I stay at a hotel that has a refrigerator. I highly recommend Marriott Residence Inns

-- cause each room comes with a kitchen and a full size refrigerator where the temperature can be moderated (easier than one of those small refrigerators that tend to freeze everything no matter how low you have the setting!)

4) If you are driving, bring a cooler in your car so that you can keep cold water and also put your meds in (if you have a tray to lay on top) -- just make sure that you keep the meds in the temperature range the drug company recommends.

5) Always remember to pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you are tired or need to take a brake, then listen to what your body is telling you to do. Don't push yourself beyond your limits. Remember, you are traveling to have fun and enjoy yourself.

Multiple Sclerosis DOES NOT have to stop you from traveling and enjoying life.

If you have any questions for me about Road Tripping with Multiple Sclerosis, feel free to contact me at maria@marialesetz.com.

In the past year, I have traveled almost 20,000 miles across the United States and have had a blast doing so! I am Lovin' Life and living life to it's fullest. You can too!

Warmest Regards,

Maria C. Lesetz, Motivational Speaker & Life Empowerment Consultant for people with Multiple Sclerosis

Owner & Founder of the Company Lovin' Life

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